'Every little town should have a taxi service': New cab operator hopes to curb drinking and driving

Drinking in Humboldt? Don’t drive, call Papa.

Papa’s Taxi is helping give the small town residents another option instead of drinking and driving.

The taxi service opened in June after owner Steve Schneider’s older son became legal drinking age.

“They didn’t have a good taxi service here,” he said. “The other one was shutting down early all the time.”

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of drinking and driving in Canada. A poll by Mainstreet Analytics showed one in five Saskatchewan residents agreed it’s okay to drink and drive if it’s for a short distance on a quiet road.

A larger portion of respondents who answered yes were from rural Saskatchewan.

“I’ve seen drinking and driving rates decrease in Humboldt with the start of my company,” Schneider said. “People who used to drink and drive now call me instead.”

Schneider said he’s been busy enough to add a second vehicle.

“Kids nowadays will still do stupid things, but I think I’ve made a major impact in the community.”

Schneider said Monday to Wednesday are his slowest days.

“My son and his buddies keep me really busy on the weekends,” he joked.